Magic look to Spurs and Thunder front offices in search for new GM

The Orlando Magic have built their playing rotation in recent years mostly through expensive free-agent signings and costly trades. The results have been mixed. Although the Magic are a perennial playoff participant, and even reached the NBA Finals in 2009, the franchise also has accumulated one of the league's highest player payrolls.

The Magic appear determined to construct their roster more efficiently in the future. In their search for someone to head their basketball operations department, the team seems to be focusing on executives from small- and mid-market franchises that have built top-notch rosters through the draft.

Lindsey, the Spurs' vice president/assistant general manager under team president R.C. Buford, is in his fifth season with San Antonio after spending 11 seasons with the Houston Rockets.

Weaver is completing his fourth season in Oklahoma City, where he serves as the team's vice president/assistant general manager under Sam Presti. Weaver coordinates the team's draft preparation and assembles the team's summer league roster.

Hennigan, the Thunder's assistant general manager/player personnel, is finishing his fourth season in Oklahoma City. He oversees the team's scouting efforts. He also spent five seasons working for the Spurs.

The Magic already plan to interview former New Orleans Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower, who built a strong roster as he worked under payroll constraints.

Former Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks executive Donnie Walsh was thought to be a prime candidate for Orlando. But it appears that Walsh, who still lives in Indianapolis, is waiting to see if Larry Bird will step down from his role as the Pacers' president.

Orlando went into the luxury tax for the first time in team history during the 2009-10 season and again during the 2010-11 season. The Magic would have been tax-payers again this past season, but the team used the amnesty provision in the new collective bargaining agreement to waive Gilbert Arenas. Although the team was still required to pay Arenas $62 million over three seasons, his salary no longer counts in the team's overall payroll numbers.

The Spurs and Thunder have reached the Western Conference finals this postseason.

The Spurs have won four NBA titles despite their small-market status, and they've done so largely because of superb coaching, great long-term planning and superior drafting.

The Spurs drafted — and retained — their current nucleus of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Although Duncan was the obvious choice as the number-one pick in 1997, Ginobili was chosen 57th overall in 1999 and Parker was chosen 28th overall in 2001. And, in recent years, the Spurs supplemented those players by acquiring DeJuan Blair and Tiago Splitter through the draft and Kawhi Leonard in a trade.

The Thunder obtained their core trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden through the draft. Both Westbrook and Harden are considered stars now, but at the time, many people thought the Thunder had overreached for each of them. Serge Ibaka, one of the league' best defenders, was added via the 24th overall pick in 2008.

Of the top nine players in the Magic's rotation this past season, only Dwight Howard and J.J. Redick were selected by the Magic in the draft, although Jameer Nelson's draft rights were acquired from the Denver Nuggets in a draft-day trade.